Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances

I have to leave the pack.

This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.

I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.

"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.

I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.

My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.

I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.

My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.

"What are you doing here?"

Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.

All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.

"How are you doing, Grace?"

His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.

"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.

Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."

A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."

into the blue of his eyes. My lack of submission must anger his wolf, too. "It's not that

wishing my words came out with more scorn and less trembling. "I don't want to hear about your precious

everything I once called home.

you did." The words hang between us, heavy and undeniable.

this time I let him take my hand. His touch sends sparks racing up my arm, and I

miss you,"

believe him. Let myself imagine a world where we could go back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His indifference in the forest, when I was near-naked and terrified. And how impossible it is for me to remain in this

hand away. "You don't get to miss me. You don't get to come in

Rafe's voice rises, and I flinch. He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things are different now, but that doesn't mean I've

A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like how your new

twists into something ugly, before it smooths out again. He leans forward, grabbing my hand and holding tight, not letting me go. "I'll talk to Ellie. I'll make sure she treats you

coursing through me. "It's not just about how Ellie treats me. It's about how you

go against my mate, Grace. You know

demand, anger finally overtaking

and I hate the way

kiss me, to pretend that nothing has changed. It would be so much

I hate him.

miss him.

my everything. I dreamed of a future with him.

scrambling out of

"Grace—"

stand tall, even as my legs shake beneath me. The temptation of the familiar is terrifying. "You don't get to have both of us. You made

found so attractive now feeling oppressive. "You're mine, Grace. You've

how much my heart hurts. Again. "No, I'm not. I'm human, remember? I don't belong to

for control. He steps forward, and I step back, only for the wall to

beside my head. "You're just angry with me. It's okay, Gracie. I

a hand, brushing it against my jaw in a whisper-soft caress that has

not the Rafe

thoughts. He

didn't ever claim to

downgrade to pleas. "I just want to be left alone. If Ellie finds out you're

won't find out," he breathes, his eyes drawn to my lips. "We'll keep it

she's not

hand between our lips just in time. My heart races at the anger darkening his eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay. We can still be together in the end. I know

in soft, sensual kisses that only make my

But I'm going to get you back. You'll see. You

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